MRI, brain (no contrast)
Facility: University Of Kansas Hospital
Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70551
- Insurance Median: $2,467
- Cash Discount Price: $1,017
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 10.12x Medicare
Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.
Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.
Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.
Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare
Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $243.77 as the cost baseline. Rates below the baseline represent excellent value. In-network commercial rates commonly hover around 150% - 250% of Medicare, while rates exceeding 300% are elevated. Hover over the green and blue markers to view detailed calculations.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 1012% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 912%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator
Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $223 - $356 | 91% |
| Medicare (plans) | $223 - $227 | 91% |
| Aetna | $223 - $312 | 91% |
| Workers Comp [503999901] | $223 - $4,833 | 91% |
| Humana | $223 - $227 | 91% |
| Lasso Healthcare [503999926] | $223 | 91% |
| Devoted [503200068] | $223 | 91% |
| Tricare | $223 | 91% |
| Ku Athletics [503200094] | $223 | 91% |
| Triwest [503201703] | $223 | 91% |
| Allwell [503200078] | $229 | 94% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $229 - $3,904 | 94% |
| American Health Plans [503200968] | $234 | 96% |
| Oscar [503201609] | $267 | 110% |
| Centurion [5032000966] | $290 | 119% |
| Wellfit [503301514] | $368 | 151% |
| Centivo [5032000982] | $368 | 151% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $379 | 155% |
| 6 Degrees Health [503999050] | $390 - $557 | 160% |
| Alt Wppa [5032000964] | $446 - $3,082 | 183% |
| Fort Hays State Student Athletes [5032000960] | $468 | 192% |
| Occunet [503999930] | $468 | 192% |
| Multiplan [503200057] | $601 | 247% |
| Claimdoc [503301509] | $601 | 247% |
| Advanced Medical Pricing Solutions [503301513] | $668 | 274% |
| Larned State Hospital [503200090] | $1,501 | 616% |
| Health Plan Inc [503999941] | $2,391 | 981% |
| Alt Carelon Behavioral Health [503200905] | $2,544 | 1044% |
| Accarent Health [503999034] | $2,544 | 1044% |
| Allied National [503999937] | $3,052 | 1252% |
| Php [503200005] | $3,052 - $3,759 | 1252% |
| Inter-Americas Insurance [503999032] | $3,082 | 1264% |
| Med-Pay [503200040] | $3,082 | 1264% |
| Healthlink [503200007] | $3,082 - $3,759 | 1264% |
| Geha [503200036] | $3,082 | 1264% |
| Cerner [503200038] | $3,082 | 1264% |
| First Health [5032000110] | $3,352 | 1375% |
| Aha-Healthcare Preferred [503200050] | $3,352 | 1375% |
| Ascension Living Hope [503201517] | $3,561 | 1461% |
| Correct Care Solutions [50311253] | $3,561 | 1461% |
| Consolidated Billing [50311256] | $3,561 | 1461% |
| Coeur Plan Services [503301517] | $3,561 | 1461% |
| Orscheln Industries [503201608] | $3,815 | 1565% |
| Empire Plan/Nyship [503200705] | $3,904 | 1602% |
| Alt Lineco [5032000976] | $3,904 | 1602% |
| Alt Lucent Health Solutions [503202603] | $3,904 | 1602% |
| Century Health Solutions [503200054] | $4,070 | 1670% |
| Cigna | $4,070 | 1670% |
| Point Comfort Underwriters [503200018] | $4,070 | 1670% |
| Quiktrip [5032000412] | $4,070 | 1670% |
| Meritain Health [503200039] | $4,273 | 1753% |
| Wppa [503200056] | $4,273 | 1753% |
| Sanford Health Plan [503999027] | $4,578 | 1878% |
| Usa Managed Care [503999030] | $4,578 | 1878% |
| Plan Care America [503999026] | $4,578 | 1878% |
| Employers Health Network [503999025] | $4,578 | 1878% |
| Three Rivers Provider Network [503999029] | $4,578 | 1878% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
This MRI, brain (no contrast) procedure at University Of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, KS, carries a gross charge of $5,087, which is significantly higher than the facility's cash median of $1,017 and the state average. While many commercial payers negotiate rates ranging from $223 to $4,833, these negotiated amounts often exceed the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying the cash rate of $1,017 directly. The facility's cash rate is notably lower than the median negotiated rate of $2,467, highlighting that insurance contracts do not always guarantee the lowest possible price. To maximize savings, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount and ask the hospital about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment options can bypass administrative fees and reduce the final bill.
The facility's pricing is also contextualized by the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for the true cost of care. Although the Medicare amount is the lowest rate listed, commercial negotiated rates frequently range from 10x to 15x this baseline, reflecting the administrative overhead and contract dynamics of private insurance. For instance, while some payers like UnitedHealthcare and Medicare (plans) have negotiated rates as low as $223, others such as Workers Comp and Blue Cross Blue Shield have ranges extending up to $3,904 and $4,833 respectively. Patients should be aware that balance billing is generally prohibited for emergency services at in-network facilities under the No Surprises Act, but unexpected charges can still occur if ancillary